Our vision
Advancing learning for specialist physicians to deliver the best health care for all.
Our mission
We partner with patients, Fellows, residents and other health care collaborators to lead specialty medical education, assessment and accreditation standards; promote the specialist physician role through research, advocacy and health policy; enable specialist physicians to adapt and continuously improve; and foster patient trust and confidence in specialist physicians.
Five things that distinguish us as the Royal College
We set the highest standards
The Royal College is the national professional association that oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada. We accredit the university programs that train resident physicians for their specialty practices, and we write and administer the demanding examinations that residents must pass to become certified as specialists.
We promote lifelong learning
We protect the health of Canadians by helping physicians build skills, knowledge and expertise in their specialties. Our Maintenance of Certification Program supports specialist physicians along their paths of lifelong learning and professional development and ensures their continued competence in a constantly evolving medical environment.
We are influential in the medical community
We share our expertise and maintain close working relations with Canada’s 17 university medical schools, national professional associations, national specialty societies, voluntary health organizations and government agencies. Our voice is respected and influential in critical discussions on issues that affect medical education, medical research and the delivery of high-quality health care to Canadians.
We advance scholarship and research
We contribute to scholarship on medical education, educational standards and health policy. In collaboration with leading researchers and partners in specialty medicine, we work to establish more effective ways to assess physician competence and find innovative solutions to health system issues that are important to Canadians.
We have an international presence
We support global standards in health care, training values and professional development by sharing our educational activities and tools with sister colleges in other countries. We establish relations with global partners and assist them to build their capacity to provide specialty medical education and create their own sustainable health systems. Read more about our international activities
